Erythropoietin (EPO) is natural occurring protein hormone which has the function to increase red blood cell production in the horse. Natural EPO can be supplemented by the administration of several different forms of human EPO to the horse. At the NHA Laboratory the screening of  human EPO in horse specimens is being undertaken employing a sophisticated immuno-detection screening methodology which is widely reported as the most accurate and sensitive currently available to the racing industry.  A highly attractive aspect about this is the wide range of EPO types which are covered, as was been confirmed by EPO administration and research studies at racing laboratories.  Included in the effective coverage of the screen is conventional EPO forms such as Epogen, Eprex, Epoetin-alpha, Epoetin-beta and Procrit and even longer acting EPO types called darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp, DPO) and CERA (PEG Epoetin-beta, MirCERA).

Growth Hormone (GH) refers to a natural hormone within the horse which is anabolic and which has the effect to enhance cell growth and cell recovery. In addition to this natural occurring equine GH there are a range of synthetic GH’s from several animal species which are active in the horse. These include a modified form of equine GH, bovine (cattle) GH and porcine (pig) GH. The NHA Laboratory employs a sensitive immune-detection screening approach which was shown effective in detecting the use these hormones by means of the measurement of the amount of the messenger protein “IGF-1”. The screening methodology measures the IGF-1 concentration against the level which is normal in the horse and can also detect the use of and some IGF-1 analogues and synthetic IGF-1 forms. The NHA Laboratory was a few years ago, in partnership with a few other countries, instrumental in conducting important research into suitable screening methodologies and validating these screening approaches.

The NHA recognises the threat which these Class 1, Forbidden Substances pose to the integrity of racing and the welfare of the horse and for this reason these screening methods have been in place at the NHA for many years.